Commonwealth Consolidated Regulations Commonwealth Consolidated Regulations(1) An area of ground is a suitable forced landing area for a flight of an aeroplane if the aeroplane could make a forced landing in the area with a reasonable expectation that there would be no injuries to persons in the aeroplane or on the ground.
(2) An area of water that meets the requirements mentioned in subregulation (3) is a suitable forced landing area for a flight of an aeroplane if:
(a) both of the following apply:
(i) the aeroplane is a prescribed single - engine aeroplane;
(ii) the area of water is closer to land than the distance prescribed by the Part 135 Manual of Standards; or
(b) the aeroplane has a type certificate or supplemental type certificate for landing on water.
(3) For the purposes of subregulation (2), the requirements are the following:
(a) the aeroplane must be able to ditch in the area of water with a reasonable expectation that there would be no injuries to persons in the aeroplane or on the water;
(b) there must be a reasonable expectation that persons in the aeroplane would survive in the area of water for the time that it would take to rescue the persons;
(c) if the flight is a passenger transport operation or a medical transport operation--the area of water must be:
(ii) adjacent to an offshore installation with search and rescue capabilities; or
(iii) in a location, set out in the aeroplane operator's exposition, that has search and rescue capabilities.
(4) Factors that affect whether there is a reasonable expectation about the matters mentioned in paragraphs (3)(a) and (b) include the following:
(a) the surface condition of the area of water, including the wave height, wind conditions and swell;
(b) the limits of the capability of the life rafts carried on
the aeroplane to stay upright and floating in certain sea states, and to
support the survival of persons who were in the aeroplane.